General Mills, Richard Childress and ... BobbyLabonte?

by 4ever3 on Apr 3, 2008 11:58 PM EDT Comment 6 comments

You know I just had to talk about it didn't you. Being somewhat of a fan of RCR I just can't sit by while all of you have your fun now, can I?

You all probably know by now that General Mills will be moving it's sponsorship from the Petty Enterprises #43 to the Richard Childress #33 for next year. If you recall, I told you about the possibility of this back in February, well it is a done deal now.

Oddly enough, and correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the 3rd race team and car manufacturer that General Mills has been with since it became a primary sponsor in NASCAR. Hmmm .. do I sense a 3-Factor here? I'll just leave it at that.

Now speculation is running rampant that since Bobby Labonte, the current driver of the #43 car, is in the last year of his contract with the Petty organization he will not renew and he will move to RCR next year and be in the #33 car. Ok, for what its worth, this is old news too because I told you about this back in February as well. The only reason people are talking about this again is because the General Mills announcement makes it more official.

Bob Margolis at Yahoo Sports has even gone as far as to say that the Bobby Labonte move to RCR is a done deal too.

You know, I'm going to be Devil's Advocate for a second and state who else might be good in the new 33 car next year besides Bobby Labonte, although if you read the Feb. article you'll know that fully support Bobby at RCR and I stated my reasons there.

So else could fit in at RCR in the #33 car?

1) Tony Stewart: What you say? His contract expires at the end of this season too, and GM wants him back in the fold dearly. Tony does remind me of a young Dale Earnhardt too, so him and Richard would get along very well. Charlie at "On Pit Row" beat me to this one BTW, but I swear I thought of it too.

2) Austin Dillion: Who? Richard Childress' grandson that's who. He'll be 18 in a few weeks, so why not? After all, nepotism isn't unheard of in NASCAR.

3) Paul Tracy: Another open wheel guy? You nuts? Yep. He has driven for RCR in the past in Busch and as a test driver, and he is currently without a ride because of the Champ Car - IRL merger.

4) Scott Wimmer: He already drives a Busch car for RCR so they can keep the team together and move them all up to Cup.

5) Mike Skinner: He has driven for Childress before, and he is still very hungry for his first Cup win even today (no pun intended). Besides, wouldn't be fun to see "macho man Skinner" in a Betty Crocker uniform just once?

6) Chrissy Wallace: Speaking of Betty Crocker ... Not that I'm perpetuating gender stereotypes her at all, but women fans are a fast growing demographic for NASCAR, so why not give them a wholesome company and equally as wholesome driver (until she puts Carl Edwards into the wall a few times that is) to cheer for?

7) Andrew Ranger: Andrew who? The current NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion. He's young, a fast learner, and he currently has Tide and Wal-Mart as co-sponsors in his back pocket to bring along with him. Hmm ... Wal-Mart, Tide, and General Mills all on one car? Just imagine the in-store promotions on race weekends. For more info on Andrew see my interview with him from a few days ago.

I'm sure there are more but I'll call it quits for now.

Take Care.

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I think Bobby will sign for a couple of years while Austin is making his way through the ranks, then he will come back and drive the three(luvs it, would be ok if Austin drives it) car. As you said I "predicted" Austin all along. BTW good interview.

by Tiredawg on Apr 4, 2008 6:08 AM EDT reply actions

Wallace, Dillon and Ranger would need more time. Skinner is improving the #84 car, I can't see RCR and General Mills build a program around him. Ditto for Wimmer, although maybe as a one year temp.

Two other intriguing potential free agents: Greg Biffle and Martin Truex Jr.

by mike on Apr 4, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Mike, darn it you beat me to my guess. Typing it anyway. Those two are high candidates for the ride IMO and Childress isn't doing himself any favors to sign Bobby without looking into one of those two.

by Amy on Apr 4, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

Mike,

The Biff I knew about, but he made it clear that he will be staying with Roush for next year easrlier in the week, but it could also be smoke and mirrors as Rick Hendrick made it clear last May that Dale Jr would not be racing for him in '08.
Truex on the other hand, well, that one got by me I must say.
I think both would be excellent for the job - for different reasons mind you, but still equally good for the job.
Thanks for your input.

by 4ever3 on Apr 4, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

I'm sure Truex wouldn't mind getting out of DEI after seemingly getting Junior's engines from last season.

by Rick on Apr 7, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

I think Stewart & Labonte are the two best bets right now, because they both have the past champion's provisional to use for those first five races where they will have to qualify on time since there won't be any owner points for the 33 next year.

by Michael on Apr 8, 2008 4:04 PM EDT reply actions